Bupleurum root (Chaihu)
Pharmaceutical Name: Radix bupleuri
Botanical Name: Bupleurum scorzoneraefollium wild; 2. Bupleurum chinense DC.
Common Name: Bupleurum root.
Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao
Jing.
Part Used & Method for Pharmaceutical
Preparations: The roots are dug in spring or autumn, dried in the sun and
cut into short pieces. The raw root can be used, or it can be baked with wine
or vinegar.
Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent
and slightly cold.
Meridians: Pericardium, liver, gall
bladder and triple jiao.
Functions: 1. To release the exterior
and clear heat; 2. To pacify the liver so as to relieve stagnation; 3. To
elevate yang-qi.
Indications & Combinations:
1. Fever due to invasion by exogenous
pathogenic factors. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Licorice root
(Gancao).
2. Alternating chills and fever in lesser
yang-syndrome. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Scutellaria root
(Huangqin).
3. Qi stagnation in the liver manifested as
distension and pain in the chest and costal regions and irregular menstruation.
Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Cyperus tuber (Xiangfu), Bitter orange
(Zhiqiao) and Green tangerine peel (Qingpi) in the formula Chaihu Sugan San.
4. Qi stagnation of the liver and deficient
blood. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Chinese angelica root (Danggui)
and White peony root (Baishao) in the formula Xiaoyao San.
5. Sinking of qi in the spleen and stomach
manifested as chronic diarrhea, prolapse of rectum, gastroptosis and uterine
prolapse. Bupleurum root (Chaihu) is used with Ginseng (Renshen),
Scutellaria root (Huangqin) and White atractylodes (Baizhu) in the formula
Buzhong Yiqi Tang.
Dosage: 3-10 g.
Cautions & Contraindications: This
herb is contraindicated during syndromes due to hyperactivity of liver yang or
deficiency of yin.
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